Christmas Tree

I love this picture of Ashlee. She was such a big help decorating the tree this year. I think she really enjoyed it. We are thinking of making our own Christmas cards this year and this photo has a possibility of being on it. We'll see.

Christmas Parade

Check out my new "Rack"!

Aaron thought of the title -he thought it was funny! Anyway, Merry Christmas to me!!! Aaron surprised me by giving me my present early so I could use it before Cancun. I am so excited to put my "Cathe" tapes to work. Not sure how often I will use the bottom row, I'll have to work up to those. "Thank you Aaron!!! I love it!"

Trick or Treat

The Flu Bug

Our little Ashlee got the flu bug! We have been lucky enough to avoid it up until now. We went into the doctors office and she just laid on the table while the doctor was examining her. She looked really sick... but not too sick that she told the doctor "Thank you" on his way out. I think that made his day. He turned around to say "Well you are welcome". There is a plus side to her being sick, she is awefully snuggly!

The Perfect One

Kidsworld Gymnastics

Gymnastics

Pumpkin Patch

Here is our latest Family photo and what better than in a pumpkin patch! We had fun walking through the rows of pumpkins. Ashlee's favorite thing was the metal painted ghost's! Stay tuned for more pictures.

Joanie from Durango...

My friend came up to visit from Durango. We had such a good time chatting and shopping. If you haven't ever been to Durango, you definitely need to go. She has been working really hard on the Durango film festival. You should check it out. I posted a link so you can see more about it. "Miss you already Joanie".

Daddy laughs...

I love this picture! You can't see Ashlee very well but you can see just how much she has Aaron wrapped around her finger!

September 5th...

What a special day. Ashlee was born two years ago at 10:48a.m. Boy does time fly. She is so special to Aaron and me. I can't remember what it was like with out her and I don't want to. We are so lucky to have such an easy going, smiley, silly and smart baby girl. Whoever thought that 6 pound 7 ounces would turn out so incredibly beautiful. Happy birthday sweet girl. You are such a blessing to us. We love you with all our heart. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Ashlee's birthday party!

We just celebrated Ashlee's 2nd birthday on Saturday. I think this had to be her funnest day yet! We started by opening presents and then cake and ice cream. Then rounded up all the kids and played in a little 4x7 blow up swimming pool. She had so much fun playing with her cousins. The older kids would line up at the fence, so she had to line up with them, then they would run to the pool and jump in and, of course, Ashlee had to do what the big kids were doing. It was so cute! At one time, they were pretending to be different animals and were on their hands and knees, well, Ashlee didn't like having her knees on the grass so she walked on her hands and feet with her bum in the air (like a stink bug). I think all the family's cheeks were aching from laughing so much. It was a perfect day. Happy Birthday Ashlee. We love you so much!

Cancun

Bedroom Furniture

Here is Ashlee's new bedroom set. We are so lucky that she took right to it (knock on wood!!!). The set is called Cottage Retreat from Ashley furniture. I am so impressed with the quality. Ashlee helped pick out her bedding and curtains. What a big girl! :)

Aaron's birthday.

Just wanting to wish Aaron a happy birthday. He keeps telling me he doesn't turn 28 until 10pm tonight! If you talk with him, be sure to wish him a wonderful day. I love him so much and just wanted to thank him for being such a wonderful husband and dad. He is always helping me around the house, he is a perfect playmate for Ashlee, he is super smart at fixing the car, he is super smart period! He works so hard to give Ashlee and me everything that we want, he is the most driven person I have ever met, and he is a blast to be around. Aaron- I hope you have a perfect day. Hopefully sometime today you can get out and play golf. You deserve a break. Love you so much, Heidi and Ashlee.

2007 RAC Advisory Council

Here is the picture of the Rent-A-Center 2007 Advisory Council members. Aaron was one of 10 district managers chosen from the 525 out there, to represent the field at home office. This was taken after their 2 day meeting at the brand new home office in Plano, TX. Aaron is over on the right, right next to Mark Speese (behind Aaron) the CEO, and Mitch Fadel (on Aarons left) the COO. Who says its not who you know?

Chocolate Pudding- yum!

One of Ashlee's favorite snacks is chocolate pudding. Also great for finger painting! She is looking so big now! She doesn't even look like a toddler anymore. Her favorite words at the moment are "Dinosaur", "silly mom", and "There you are". We have been discovering sidewalk chalk and pushing her cars down the slide. She's a lot of fun, even during the terrible two's!

Ashlee's playground

We just bought Ashlee a nice little playset to put outside but it's been so hot lately that we decided to keep it indoors. How fun would it be have a playhouse in your own living room! That's what we did. She loves going down the slide and climbing up the walls (with mom's help of course). Our living room looks a little funny but it has become one awesome playroom.

Flower on Canvas/ watercolor

I am finally done taking my Photoshop Elements class. Here is a picture I have been playing with (Chris took this picture while we were in Cancun). I thought it would be fun to make it look like it was painted on canvas and then with watercolor. Enjoy. I need to keep practicing to get better. There are so many cool things you can do with the program; I'm excited!

Cancun

Cancun was so much fun. I don't have much time to post now but I wanted to show one of my favorite pictures. This is at Tulum. It is ancient Mayan ruins about 60 miles south of Cancun. We walked around the ruins and then enjoyed a nice refreshing swim in the ocean. Gorgous beach with silky sand and clear blue water. ahhhh.....

Ashlee growing up

Everyone is saying how big Ashlee is getting. I am so sad but at the same time, loving every change. We just got back from Utah and she had a blast spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and her cousins and aunts, she just loves being around family and friends; and being the center of attention! She loves to scribble and she loves popping bubbles. I think we do these things at least twice a day. Here is a picture of her coloring. I thought the picture turned out pretty cute if you ask me!

Biking

So here it is; Aaron on a bike and it took Ashlee to get him there! This is great. Ashlee was a little scared at first as you can see but around the block a few times and she was jabbering non-stop like nobody's business. Earlier that morning Aaron and I rode Rustler's loop. I've never been Mountain biking before. It's definitely different then road biking. Time goes by much faster and each rock and bump is a challenge. We had a lot of fun. I am sure we will spend more time on the trails.

Outside

Ashlee loves to play outside. She can spend hours if I let her. She just picks up rocks and puts them in the dog's water dish. She loves to play in their kennel opening and closing the kennel gate. She will sometimes let the dogs in and sometimes won't . It's pretty cute. Thank heaven for spring and nice weather. We can put her energy to work, or I guess I should say "play"!

Pinewood "X"

Pinewood derby Colorado style! Aaron has been busy the last two weeks building his car for the pinewood derby unlimited class. An excuse for a bunch of grown men with way tooo... much time on their hands to build a 60 foot track and come up with the following rules; if you can build it, you can race it! One guy is even making a car out of an anvil. Boys never grow up. Their toys just get bigger and more expensive! Aaron's car should either win, or instantaneously combust. We'll let you know (yes that's a C6 rocket engine!).

My mom and the boys.

I just wanted to post this since my mom's birthday is on the 9th. I have been thinking of her a lot lately. This picture is one of my favorites. My mom had a love for animals. She completely spoiled Sabre and Ryatt. We use to take them on walks around Mckay Dee hospital. Those are some really good memories. Happy birthday mom. Miss you, love you.

Aaron's awards!

I just have to say how proud I am of Aaron. He works so hard and every year he receives his recognition with awards. They had a regional meeting in which his store managers took 6 of the 12 awards given out. Aaron took home the Top District for profit growth, Top District for Revenue growth, and the District of the Year awards for the 3rd consecutive year! In Las Vegas, Jim's (Aaron's boss) region took 12 of the 24 awards in the whole division (8 regions, 57 Districts and about 500 stores) and Aaron's district took 7 of those 12. He brought home two divisional awards personally; one for revenue growth and one for percent collected. His store managers took home the other 5 for various 1st and 2nd places. I hope that makes sense! Awesome job Aaron! You are great at what you do.

Spring Fever/ Temper Tantrums.

I can feel it! Spring is here. It was almost 60' today and Ashlee loved it. We spent an hour outside picking up rocks, chasing the dogs, splashing in the water dish, and just walking everywhere. She loves to be outside which I don't blame her. Being indoors can become boring after all day. I can't wait to take her to Canyon View park. The boys are enjoying her too. Sabre has become a lot more friendly with her by walking up and sniffing and kissing her. He is very careful around her. Ryatt just about knocks her down from being so excited to have us outside. She's managed to get a few pats in while he is laying down.
Ashlee has officially started practicing to be two. Her tantrums are perfect! Just as I go to pick her up she goes limp and lays on the floor, squinting her eyes at the same time. I think that her baby signs will help some when she goes through the two stage, but some things you just have to go through. Wish us luck!

So Ambitious.

Ashlee and I are in a group called "Music Makers" that is at the church every Wed morning. We start by sitting in a circle and singing songs while doing hand gestures. Then we go into another room while the kids put on costumes and sing more songs. Then we go into the gym and march to music while shaking a noise maker (this is Ashlee's favorite). After that we go back into the first room while we sing a bubble song and someone blows bubbles. Then it's the parachute. While balls are being tossed in the middle the kids shake the parachute up and down. Now it's time for a few more songs and to end with a story. While this is all happening, I am chasing Ashlee around the room trying to get her to sit down, or put the toy back where and to whom it belonged. One of the times we were walking out to the car, another mom just mentioned "Boy she sure is ambitious!" I know what that means. I am proud of my ambitious girl. She will be busy and successful when she grows up. A lot like Aaron.

She's weaned!

I am so sad. I never thought weaning Ashlee off the bottle would be so hard... for me! My little girl is growing up. Those of you out there with little ones, enjoy them while they are still small, it doesn't last long. The first night with out the bottle she cried a little bit then would be quiet, then cry a little, then quiet. This went on for a few minutes. Then she snuggled up to me while I rocked her and finally laid her down to sleep. To her, it was like "okay, I guess we are doing it this way now." No big deal. She is so adaptable. We are so lucky to have such a sweet, easy going, ambitious girl.

Piano Lessons

One of Ashlee's favorite things is to sit at the piano and bang on the keys. She makes beautiful music! It was funny because she would reach up and turn the page. Shirley (my old piano teacher) would be proud!